Rikitha Rao

Manager with 16 years of experience in investment bank currently leading equity and bond settlements with a strong track record in custody operations, and client service across cross-market trade flows. Directs a 10-member settlements team, resolves buy-ins, futures expiry, DTC settlements, and Structured Products while strengthening STP and compliance. Coordinate netting and fail management to keep settlement activity accurate, timely, and aligned with CSDR compliance.

Successfully managed settlement cycle transition in DTC and Canada markets (T+2 → T+1), helped the team to handle volume spikes, Played a key role in onboarding Standard Bank (South Africa) during 2023–2024

Led a Bond related process improvement project delivering significant cost savings, streamlining operational processes and improving the STP rate to enhance overall efficiency and service quality.

Delivered high-impact initiative for a WLC client that improved operational efficiency, strengthened team performance and contributed significantly to overall business objectives. Strengthened cross-team collaboration(custody, brokers and IT) to ensure seamless settlement workflows.

Delivered classroom training sessions and introduced innovative process refinements

• Best Performer of the Quarter (2014, JP Morgan), Multiple Spot Awards (2011, 2012), Employee of the Month (Feb 2022, May 2023, Dec 2023, Aug 2024, Nov 2025), Top Maker Award (June 2021) for flawless client onboarding, Star of the month (March 2026) process improvement project (STP), Saxonian of the quarter (June 2022, November 2023 and May 2026) Automated Bond Process for seamless settlement.
• Recognized by onshore clients for clearing backlogs during high-volume periods, Commended by stakeholders for resolving failing trades during US settlement cycle change (T+3 → T+2), Appreciation from Director of COB (2020–2021) and Global Head of Settlements (Jan 2022)

Process Automation Project (JP Morgan, 2014 – Hong Kong Onshore Site): Partnered with the project team for 6 months to automate payment processes, successfully eliminating 2 hours of manual effort by executing 202 payments through the mainframe system. This initiative streamlined operations, improved efficiency, and reduced manual workload.

Reduced settlement failures and avoided late settlement penalties across European markets.

Improved operational efficiency by implementing netting and inventory control measures.

Strengthened cross-team collaboration (custody, brokers, IT) to ensure seamless settlement workflows

Successfully managed settlement cycle transition in DTC and
Canada markets (T+2 → T+1), helped the team to handle volume
spikes, Played a key role in onboarding Standard Bank (South
Africa) during 2023–2024 and Recognized by onshore clients for
clearing backlogs during high-volume periods
•
Led a Bond related process improvement project delivering
significant cost savings, streamlining operational processes
and improving the STP rate to enhance overall efficiency and
service quality and Delivered classroom training sessions and
introduced innovative process refinements
•
Delivered high-impact initiative for a WLC client that improved
operational efficiency, strengthened team performance and
contributed significantly to overall business objectives.
Strengthened cross-team collaboration(custody, brokers and
IT) to ensure seamless settlement workflows.
•
Best Performer of the Quarter (2014, JP Morgan), Multiple Spot
Awards (2011, 2012), Employee of the Month (Feb 2022, May 2023,
Dec 2023, Aug 2024, Nov 2025), Top Maker Award (June 2021) for
flawless client onboarding, Star of the month (March 2026)
process improvement project (STP),
•
Saxonian of the quarter (June 2022, November 2023 and May
2026) Automated Bond Process for seamless settlement.